Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris is set to miss several weeks following a mid-body injury sustained during Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild. Norris, who has been enjoying a promising season with 19 goals and 12 assists, exited the game late after receiving significant hits.
During the third period of the Senators' dominant 6-0 victory over the Wild, Norris was taken down hard by Minnesota center Jakub Lauko, leading to his early exit. Before leaving, Norris made his mark on the game, scoring shorthanded and showcasing his scoring prowess throughout the season.
Head coach Travis Green confirmed the unfortunate news on Monday, stating Norris will be out for 'a couple of weeks,' affecting the team's dynamics as they begin their four-game road trip starting with the Nashville Predators.
"We've done a good job of not focusing on players who aren’t playing. Obviously, Josh is a big part of our team, but we’re focusing on the guys who are playing," Green expressed, emphasizing the need for the rest of the team to step up during Norris's absence.
Norris, 25, has inspired confidence this season, tallying 31 points over 50 games. The injury, deemed serious enough to keep him from traveling to Nashville, involves him missing key road matchups not just against the Predators but also against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Both teams are eager to gain ground on the Senators, making Norris's injury all the more impactful.
Before the injury, Norris had been living up to his first-round draft pick status, proving pivotal for the Senators both on the power play and during even-strength situations. His absence creates significant voids in both scoring and offensive creativity for the Senators, who currently sit third in the Atlantic Division with 60 points and hold a record of 28-20-4.
With Norris out, the Senators will look to players like Cole Reinhardt, who was called up from the AHL’s Belleville Senators, to fill the gap. Reinhardt has had experience this season and will likely be slotted next to established teammates as the Senators struggle to maintain momentum without their leading scorer.
Moving forward, Ottawa is determined to maintain their winning streak. They had achieved four consecutive wins prior to the injury setback. Anton Forsberg is set to start against the Predators, continuing as the primary backup as starter Linus Ullmark returns from his own injury. Ullmark has himself been sidelined previously and will play as the backup goalie, but his return won't alleviate the pressing concerns about Norris's absence.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to assess how well the Senators can perform as they encounter challenges against formidable opponents without key players. Norris's absence marks not just missed opportunities this week but potential long-term impacts on the Senators' playoff aspirations.
Despite the turmoil, with the 4 Nations Face-Off on the horizon, there may be opportunities for Norris to recover and return to action at full strength. Meanwhile, the Senators aim to galvanize their roster to rise to the occasion and build on their recent successes.